In contrast to other recent riots in a number of countries the last time I heard a number the death toll between rioters and police stood about even.
That indicated a seriousness and resolve that undoubtedly got the attention of parliament. Police are not accustomed to suffering that level of casualties and once the police would no longer act - which was becoming a problem - then they would have the choice of sending in the military and blowing it up into a full scale civil war or fleeing as the President did. Even the military wasn't solidly on their side so it was the smart thing to do.
Now we'll see if the Russians send in the tanks after the Olympics are over and it won't be as big a PR disaster.